Restrictions on hospital visits by individuals observing the “0+7” COVID-19 protocol will be eased from Jan. 1, 2023, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced Thursday.

Under current regulations, international arrivals and people who live with or have had close contact with someone who has contracted COVID-19 are not required to undergo quarantine and only need to observe seven days of self-initiated epidemic prevention, a protocol known as “0+7.”

During that period, they are not allowed to enter hospitals or other medical facilities.

Starting from Jan. 1, however, such individuals may enter medical facilities during the seven days of self-initiated epidemic prevention as long as they are able to provide a rapid test taken on the day of visitation showing a negative result, CECC spokesperson Chuang Jen-hsiang (???) said at a press briefing.

Also on Thursday, the CECC reiterated the government’s plans to stop paying COVID-19 medical fees for foreign nationals who are not covered by Taiwan’s National Health Insurance (NHI) program.

From Jan. 1, only Taiwanese — with or without NHI — and foreign nationals who have NHI cards will have their COVID-19 medical expenses covered by the government, the CECC said.

According to the National Health Insurance Administration, on average the current treatment fee for an individual with a mild case of COVID-19 is between NT$1,200 (US$39.05) and NT$1,300.

The medical bill for individuals with moderate to severe symptoms ranges from NT$50,000 to NT$65,000.

The administration’s statistics also revealed that between April and October, Taiwan spent approximately NT$314 million on foreign nationals with mild symptoms, and around NT$5.96 million on those who developed moderate to severe symptoms.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel